Rob Little was working as a computer programmer at IBM when he decided to transition his career into stand-up comedian. He sent out a company-wide email that read, "If you aren't happy here, quit your job and follow your dream," and then tried to follow through with the statement.

A heckler in Atlanta once punched TJ Miller in the face. During another stand-up show in Myrtle Beach, a woman slapped her watch and shouted, "You got 15 minutes to say something funny!"

But despite these occasional abuses from his audiences, TJ Miller is devoted to comedy. When he isn't performing stand-up in L.A.'s comedy clubs, he is touring or filming or producing some other form of humor.

The shelf life for a local improv team is nine months to a year. Apparently, River City Improv is not your average team. Comprised completely of Calvin College alum, the Grand Rapids-based improv team has been providing side-splitting antics on stage since 1994.

A church might not be the most common — or even ideal — venue for a comedy show, but Anjelah Johnson is enthusiastic about her opportunity to perform at Fountain Street Church as a part of the second installment of the comedy festival.

"The funny thing is, I started comedy at a church," Johnson said. "I took a joke writing class at my church ...We had to perform at the church as a part of our graduation."

"Dark, absurd, honest, relatable." These are the words Dan Cummins chooses to describe himself with. Where these descriptors lack in meaning, words like 'angry,' 'cynical,' 'maniacal' and 'slightly cruel' fill in the empty spaces.